In Japan, the population participating in a traditional ceremony called Shichi-Go-San has been on the decline. The ceremony is typically intended for children aged three, five, and seven. However, fur parents have found a new way to keep the tradition going – by bringing their dogs to the shrine and dressing them in kimonos.
This new pet version of the ceremony has gained significant popularity, with more and more people showing their love for their furry friends instead of having children. The Zama Shrine, for instance, has already welcomed about 120 pets to participate in the ceremony this season. Interestingly, this trend reflects Japan’s decreasing birth rate, which has fallen below the rate required to maintain a healthy population. For more information about this fascinating phenomenon, check out the full story on The Dogington Post by clicking on the link below!